If you want to serve your croissants straight away, choose a fresh option. If you’d like them warm just before you eat, look for part-baked croissants. A frozen option lets you shop earlier, but you’ll need freezer space and a little more care when preparing them. Whichever you choose, check the portion size, label and instructions on the specific pack. Words such as ‘luxury’ or a higher butter content won’t necessarily determine how the croissant tastes to you.
You’re looking for a croissant to complement a homemade fakeaway meal, and don’t mind doing a little preparation. Compare the shape and portion size; the stated butter content tells you about the ingredients, not how the croissant ranks in taste.
You want warm croissants with your meal without making the pastry yourself. According to their product information, part-baked options from Albert Heijn and PLUS take just a few minutes in the oven. PLUS’s large frozen croissant takes longer to bake and needs to cool afterwards.
Your choice may depend on the ingredients or allergens, or you may want to know whether iodised salt is used. The butter croissants we looked at list wheat and milk; egg and other potential allergens vary by product. So always check the pack you’re buying.
For fakeaway night, when you plan to serve the croissants is the main factor in choosing a practical option. Then choose the portion size and ingredients based on the specific pack.
When to choose it: You’re shopping shortly before the meal and want to serve the croissants without having to plan when to bake them.
Things to consider: Don’t assume every fresh option will be in stock or have the same label information. Check the product you’re buying.
When to choose it: You want to bake the croissants shortly before eating and serve them warm. For the options we looked at, Albert Heijn and PLUS recommend 4–6 minutes in an oven at 200 °C.
Things to consider: You’ll need space in a suitable appliance when it’s time to serve them. Follow the instructions on your pack.
When to choose it: You want to shop in advance and have freezer space to store the croissants until you’re ready to prepare them.
Things to consider: The Jumbo option we looked at must not be refrozen after thawing. According to PLUS, its large option needs 20–25 minutes in the oven, followed by cooling.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size and presentation | Compare the number of croissants, their size and the stated butter content. Don’t treat the butter content as a guarantee of taste. | If the croissants are to be a special part of the spread, I want to know how many I can serve and what the portions will look like. Around 42% of consumers prioritise portion size and presentation. |
| Preparation and planning | Check whether the product is ready to eat, part-baked or frozen, and what preparation and storage instructions are given on the pack. | If the rest of the meal also needs preparing, I want to be able to fit the baking in. For around 33% of consumers, that planning is the deciding factor. |
| Ingredients and labelling | Read the allergen information and, if needed, check whether iodised salt is listed in the ingredients. | If certain ingredients matter to me, I need to be able to check the label of the specific croissant before buying it. For around 25% of consumers, that information comes first. |
A description such as ‘luxury’ and the stated butter content tell you something about how the product is positioned or what it contains, but they don’t determine which taste or texture you’ll enjoy.
Use the stated content as one point of comparison, and also consider the product type, portion size and preparation method.
For the frozen croissants we looked at, Jumbo says not to refreeze them after thawing and to prepare and eat them within 24 hours.
Plan your freezer space and preparation around the instructions on the pack you choose.
If you don’t use a thawed pack in time, it could lead to food waste.
The butter croissants we looked at list wheat and milk; egg and other potential allergens vary by product.
Before buying, read the current ingredients list and allergen information for the specific option, including any ‘may contain’ statements.
Albert Heijn, Délifrance and PLUS list iodised salt in the part-baked options we looked at. That doesn’t tell you what’s in another croissant.
Look for ‘iodised salt’ on the label of the product you choose, or ask a bakery counter about the ingredients.
Albert Heijn lists a pack of four part-baked butter croissants and an individual luxury butter croissant. This gives you the choice between baking them at home and serving them straight away.
The luxury butter croissants from Jumbo that we looked at are frozen and sold in a pack of four, making them a good option if you want to plan ahead.
The part-baked butter croissants from Délifrance that we looked at can be prepared in either an oven or an air fryer.
PLUS lists both a long-life pack of four butter croissants and a large individual luxury frozen croissant.
ALDI lists an individual fresh butter croissant, which could suit you if you’re shopping shortly before your meal.
Dirk lists an individual butter croissant as well as a pack of four own-brand butter croissants.
Lidl lists mini butter croissants as an in-store item. They’re worth considering if you want to serve smaller portions.
These two packs are worth considering if you’re looking for mini croissants or four croissants to share. Before planning when to serve them, check whether your chosen option is ready to eat or needs preparing. Don’t assume this from the product name.
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The mini size is ideal for smaller portions as part of a shared fakeaway meal.
The pack states 200 g. Check the label for allergens and to see whether the croissants are ready to serve or need preparing.
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A pack of four croissants is handy when you’re serving several people.
The stated total weight is 180 g. Before buying, check the label for allergens and read the preparation instructions before planning your meal.
No. The stated butter content tells you about an ingredient; it doesn’t indicate your personal taste preference. The options from Jumbo, Albert Heijn and Délifrance that we looked at list 23%, 25% and 27% respectively. Also consider the portion size and how you want to serve the croissant.
Yes, if the pack for your chosen option includes air fryer instructions. For the Délifrance option we looked at, Jumbo recommends 1–2 minutes at 160 °C. For its part-baked option, PLUS recommends 4 minutes at 180 °C. Don’t interchange the cooking times.
Not for the frozen butter croissants from Jumbo that we looked at. For this option, Jumbo says not to refreeze after thawing and to prepare and eat them within 24 hours. For other products, follow the instructions on the pack.
The butter croissants we looked at that list wheat on the label are not gluten-free. If you need a gluten-free product, check that the specific pack is clearly labelled as gluten-free and read the allergen information.
Don’t assume so: the ingredients vary from one croissant to another. The part-baked options from Albert Heijn, Délifrance and PLUS that we looked at list iodised salt. Check the label of your chosen product, or ask a bakery counter about the ingredients.
